Outdoor portraits advice

dan_yorkshire

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Dan
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Hi all,

Outdoor portrait photography is something I want to start taking seriously
and whilst I know 'practice will make perfect', I want to produce some nice
shots of my brother and fiance for them to use in their wedding guest book
next year.

I plan to take them to parkland/woodland and get some shots in the near
future and was looking for some advice/tips for starters with regards to
making my images 'pop'. If I'm blessed with a nice sunny day then happy
days but how can I enhance my pics on an overcast day.

I have a flashgun and often read comments about 'getting it off camera'
which is why I have just purchased a stand and umbrella. I know using this
equipment will enhance the pic if used correctly, but any early tips about
placement and shooting methods to give me a solid working foundation will
be greatly appreciated, then I can tweak and learn to my hearts content.

Cheers,

Dan
 
Cheers, not working on my iPhone but should work on the laptop later
 
Make sure you keep an eye on the background! I did some family shots last week and made a schoolboy error by having part of the background sky and part trees so it all looked wrong and poorly lit.:bang:
 
Dan, if you wanna meet up my end of Yorkshire I'll happily show you how easy it is, mate.
 
Hi all,

Outdoor portrait photography is something I want to start taking seriously
and whilst I know 'practice will make perfect', I want to produce some nice
shots of my brother and fiance for them to use in their wedding guest book
next year.

I plan to take them to parkland/woodland and get some shots in the near
future and was looking for some advice/tips for starters with regards to
making my images 'pop'. If I'm blessed with a nice sunny day then happy
days but how can I enhance my pics on an overcast day.

I have a flashgun and often read comments about 'getting it off camera'
which is why I have just purchased a stand and umbrella. I know using this
equipment will enhance the pic if used correctly, but any early tips about
placement and shooting methods to give me a solid working foundation will
be greatly appreciated, then I can tweak and learn to my hearts content.

Cheers,

Dan

Start simple

1. a reflector can do wonders
2. Fill flash, on camera
3. Fill flash - somone holding it off camera where you want it
4. the whole off camera brolly thing

Note

The off camara brolly thing makes you look like a scmuck if you are on uneven ground in the woods, or it is windy... So you still need an assistant to hold it. Thats why some use something like a small square compact softbox for such shoots

Go read the strobist website for some tips
 
Cheers everyone

Dan, if you wanna meet up my end of Yorkshire I'll happily show you how easy it is, mate.

Thanks Dean, I might just take you up on that. Shame about the dark nights, it would have to be a weekend. Would that suit?

I've used my flash on camera plenty for fill flash and used it wth umbrella etc indoors when messing about with rembrant lighting etc.

Although 'fill flash' off camera will be relatively simple once I've cracked it, I'm the type of learner to gain more from a 5min hands-on tutorial or youtube clip that reading a full manual.
 
Cheers everyone



Thanks Dean, I might just take you up on that. Shame about the dark nights, it would have to be a weekend. Would that suit?

I've used my flash on camera plenty for fill flash and used it wth umbrella etc indoors when messing about with rembrant lighting etc.

Although 'fill flash' off camera will be relatively simple once I've cracked it, I'm the type of learner to gain more from a 5min hands-on tutorial or youtube clip that reading a full manual.

Can do weekends. Drop me a line. All my contact details on website. :)
 
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